Geoff Calkins' Take 5: George Washington worried about Tigers in transition

Memphis head coach Josh Pastner pumps up his team as they take on Michigan State during first half action of their third round matchup in the 2013 NCAA tournament from Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Commercial Appeal files

Five quick thoughts while waiting for Memphis to show up at PNC Arena:

1. Just finished the George Washington presser. The phrase that was repeated more than any other: "We can't let them get into their transition game." Everyone said this. The coach, the players. There was the occasional "they are really athletic" and "they're good inside, too," but the overwhelming theme? Mike Lonergan: "We can't compete with them in the transition game."

2. In the end, that is the essential definition of this Memphis team. If they force turnovers, if they can run with you, they're good. That's how they can beat Louisville twice. That's why they looked good against UConn on the road. But if you can force Memphis to play halfcourt, they'll lose. Or, that is the book on them.

3. Memphis fans like to wonder why Josh Pastner doesn't press. The answer, of course, is that he doesn't press because it doesn't fit his disposition. He's fundamentally controlling and risk-averse. He likes to hold up his cards. That's why I was skeptical when Pastner said he was going to press this season. I didn't think he had it in him to do that. As it happens, however, it would be a highly useful weapon against George Washington, which really only has five players, and was destroyed by VCU's press. I do expect Memphis to be a little more aggressive than usual against GW, but it's too late to go back to the full-throttle press that Pastner talked about before the year began.

4. I don't blame Pastner for not pressing, by the way. You are who you are. The mistake was spending the entire offseason working on the press instead of the defenses the Tigers would actually use. If you're looking for reasons Memphis has been worse than usual defensively this year, that would be one. The absence of D.J. Stephens would be another. The new rules on hand-checking would be a third.

5. GW guard Patricio Garino is from Argentina. He didn't watch the NCAAs until a few years ago when Argentina TV started carrying the games. His first game? "Some game with Duke," he said. I said: "Of course." Anyway, young Garino doesn't lack for confidence. Asked about Memphis, he said, emphatically, "We're going to win."